Japanese Holly Fern

Unique-shaped and glossy fronds, the Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei) has a beautiful and distinctive shape with a few dramatic fronds forming a vase-like crown. The fronds are four to seven inches wide and mature to a beautiful, glossy dark green with four to ten pairs of leaves per pinnae.

The individual pinnae are leathery, serrated with sharp points, and have a remarkable resemblance to Holly leaves - thus the common name. Older plants may have a widespread, creating a fantastic display in the shade garden! The undersides of each mature leaf form green sori that turn brown for a unique speckled appearance.

A hardy perennial Fern, these shade-garden standards add an elegant yet primordial presence throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 10, handling heat and humidity with ease, as well as chilly winter temperatures. These Ferns can remain semi to fully evergreen in mild winter climates.

Planting and Application:

This Fern can take more sun than most, so you can use it in pots or in beds as a border where you normally couldn't put other Ferns. Just ensure they receive some shade from the afternoon sun for them to do their best. Plant at the edges of the understory, the woodland garden, or beneath the canopy of large trees to fill bare round in lush greenery.

An excellent spreading and politely creeping groundcover, these add a dramatic edging along the fronts of your garden beds and borders, adding pretty texture along pathways and shaded sidewalks. Encircle a gazebo, porch, or covered seating area with some glossy green fringe as a finishing touch! These are wonderful facer plants, hiding bare leggy branches of larger trees and shrubs all while basking in their welcome shade.

Holly Fern looks fantastic as a potted container specimen plant and adds high-impact texture to your mixed planters as well! Any protected porch, patio, balcony, or back deck benefits from their cooling presence.

This groundcover Fern is very striking when planted in large groups and allowed to naturalize freely en masse. Fill those bare areas where little else grows because of the shade with unique texture and glossy greenery! The high preference for moisture makes Holly Ferns the obvious choice for Rain Gardens, along the edges of ponds, streams, and water features! Plant around where shady gutters drain or plant around your HVAC drainage area to soak up the extra moisture.

• Dark Green Glossy Leathery Fronds
• Holly-Like, Pointed Pinnae
• Forms Vase-Shaped Clumps
• Handles A Bit More Shade Than Other Ferns
• Can Remain Evergreen/Semi-Evergreen in Mild Winters
• Borders & Edging, Specimen Containers, & Shade Garden Accents

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Japanese Holly Ferns are easy to grow and prefer partial sun to full shade and need soil that is moist, humus-rich, and with good drainage. However, it must be kept out of strong afternoon sun in warmer climates. Any well-drained soil type that remains moist all growing season is suitable for this plant.

Divide plants in the early spring before new growth emerges. In spring before new growth begins, tidy up the mounds by removing or gently raking away any old, dead debris. Top-dress with compost and 3-4 inches of arborist mulch to keep the roots cool, hold moisture, and block weed competition.

Rabbit and deer-resistant this Fern will be safe to plant in the out-of-the-way wooded areas and edges of your property without worry of damage.

• Full Shade & Part Sun
• Impressively Heat & Humidity Tolerant
• Any Well-Drained Rich Soil
• Moderate to High Moisture
• Deer & Rabbit-Resistant Easy-Care & Low-Maintenance

A unique Fern with a distinctive shape! Overall, this is one tough Fern with unique features that would be a great addition to any partly shaded-yard or patio! Buy your own Japanese Holly Fern from NatureHills.com today!